Definition

1. Verb:
   • To break; to snap: The primary meaning refers to a long, hard object separating into pieces, often with a sudden, sharp sound. It implies a clean fracture.
   • To fracture: Specifically used for bones in medical or physical injury contexts.
   • To fail; to fall through (colloquial): Used figuratively to mean a plan, idea, or deal has failed or collapsed.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cây gậy bị gãy làm đôi. (The stick broke in half.)
  • Anh ấy bị gãy xương sườn trong tai nạn. (He fractured his rib in the accident.)
  • Kế hoạch kinh doanh đã gãy vì thiếu vốn. (The business plan fell through due to lack of capital.)

Advanced Usage

• "gãy gánh": to fail in one's responsibility or duty; to be unable to continue bearing a burden.
  • Ông ấy gãy gánh giữa đường vì áp lực quá lớn. (He buckled under the pressure and couldn't continue his duty.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gãy xương (v): to suffer a bone fracture.

  • Cậu bé bị gãy xương tay khi chơi đá bóng. (The boy broke his arm while playing soccer.)

• Làm gãy (v): to break something (causative).

  • Đứa trẻ vô tình làm gãy cây bút chì. (The child accidentally broke the pencil.)

Synonyms

• Break: to separate into pieces.
• Snap: to break suddenly and completely.
• Fracture: to crack or break, especially a bone.
• Fail: to not succeed.

Related Idioms

• Gãy cổ gãy cánh: to be completely broken or ruined (literally: broken neck and broken wings).

  • Công ty ấy sau vụ bê bối thì gãy cổ gãy cánh. (That company was completely ruined after the scandal.)

• Nói gãy gọn: to speak concisely and clearly.

  • Hãy trình bày vấn đề một cách nói gãy gọn. (Please present the issue in a concise manner.)

verb

1. to break; to snap; to break off
   • gãy chân
     to break one's leg